High Country Pig Party 2017 Trail Discussion/Planning

[PabloCruise]

Original origins of the Pig Party: Pig Party - 2017?

Let's use this thread to discuss the various trail options in the are around Rico, CO and the Cayton Campground.

From what I can gather there will be a wide range of capabilities present in our Pigs. I know mine has no lift, open diffs, no armor and I am not looking to crush any sheet metal, so I will gravitate towards the mild runs. It will probably be most interesting if we have options that will interest the more capable Pigs at the same time as mellow run options...

If you have any map images or links, please add those as well.

Let the posting begin!

 

[Megadoomer]

My pig might be more than mild however the fact that it has stranded me so many times on regular roads I'm a little apprehensive to go too crazy. If i have to flatbed it home I and my pig might not be welcome back by the Mrs.

 

[PabloCruise]

My pig might be more than mild however the fact that it has stranded me so many times on regular roads I'm a little apprehensive to go too crazy. If i have to flatbed it home I and my pig might not be welcome back by the Mrs.

I agree. I am craving the company of good Pigs, good people and some amazing scenery. Not looking to break things...

 

[riderjgs]

There's little to worry about in a stock Cruiser on any of the main trails...Ophir, Imogene and even Black Bear in the immediate area around Telluride and Engineer, Cinnamon and the other common passes around Silverton and Ouray. I've done all of them in everything from a worn out and stock '48 Jeep to a stock '73 FJ40, an unmodified 1993 K Blazer and my first Pig with no suspension mods other than some 10.50/15 ATs. Rental companies send clients over these trails in stock new Jeeps. First thing I'd get right would be brakes and ebrake and, with decent tires and moderate driving skills, you should be okay. Altitude adjustment may be necessary on some carbureted rigs.

 

[Hank Tank]

I agree. I am craving the company of good Pigs, good people and some amazing scenery. Not looking to break things...

I'm with @PabloCruise . My rig has relative new paint so I'd like to avoid scratches and damage as well. But I don't mind getting dirty and hanging out with good folks in beautiful scenery. That being said, I did take it on a 400 mi Offroad rally (Copperstate Overland) last October and it handled everything with ease despite being in stock set up. Just dropping the tire pressure to 17 made all the difference.

 

[bobm]

Don't wanna Scratch Ole Blue either.

 

[riderjgs]

Looked at the most commonly used trail guides around here. On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being most difficult, all the passes I mentioned rate 2-4 with a single portion of one rating a 5. I haven't scratched anything I've driven over any of them. If you can drive your Pig to Colorado, you can do these trails with good brakes, decent tires and moderate skills.

 

[fj55-100]

wait < i might scrach it

 

[Megadoomer]

scratches are fine. I always keep a can of flat black with me. I just don't want dents.

 

[fj55-100]

Should we start a sub thread for a mini swap meet , save on ship and help the sty folks

 

[tucker74]

As stated above, we drove all of these passes (Black Bear, Cinnamon, Engineer, Imogene, Ophir) in a lightly modified 100 last summer with zero damage. You can get into some real wheeling (the wall) if you choose to, but otherwise it's fairly mild wheeling and beautiful scenery. I'd be more worried about damaging your seats from butt pucker going down Black Bear than body damage . Invest in making sure your brakes are in top shape, but otherwise don't sweat it -

Tucker

 

[Hank Tank]

What dates are we thinking for this again?

 

[Gordobe]

Arrival: June 21 - Departure: June 25
Cayton Campground. Grab a site!!!

 

[B.C. Hoshall]

For those looking to push their skills, Poughkeepsie Gulch may be one of the more challenging trails found in the proposed area for this run. IMO it is most fun running up hill from Ouray. It has loose skree (sharp angled rocks) for a long, steep climb and "the wall" obstacle 3/4 the way up. There are winch anchors posted at the top of the wall, but can become tippy when dry and darn near impassible when wet. Many rental heeps have not come out of Poughkeepsie gulch under their own power. It is a relatively short trail but can take some time with larger groups. It is not serviced by the San Juan County road crews and thus is usually one of the last trails to shed snow pack and open up.

Black Bear pass is a one way trail from the top of Red Mountain Pass (US Hwy 550) to Telluride and is famous for the pucker factor and amazing views as you descend into Telluride. It is much wider at "the crunch" than it used to be and most stock vehicles and operators with steady hands have no problem. A few spots where departure angles of the longer pigs may take careful navigation to avoid dragging.

Imogene pass connects Telluride and Ouray. It crests out over 13,000', passes through some of the richest mining history and offers spectacular views. Runnable wet or dry. Dense fog can make the trail confusing.

There are many trails and passes in this area. Both difficult and sedate. Too many to list and describe them all here. The three mentioned above can be considered the most challenging we will see this trip but all of these mountain passes are beautiful and worth running.

It is worth researching high country "Trail Etiquette" if you are not familiar. Passing on coming vehicles WILL BE THE MOST DANGEROUS part of any trail ride here. The shoulders are soft and loose with a large penalty for error. The vehicle TRAVELING UP HILL has the right of way. It is safer to back uphill than down. (While backing down hill, you have less brake and steering control) It is not unusual to see drivers forget/ignore this. Some trails have more pull outs for passing than others but all are tight in many places. Usually the most sketchy...

 

[Hank Tank]

For those looking to push their skills, Poughkeepsie Gulch may be one of the more challenging trails found in the proposed area for this run. IMO it is most fun running up hill from Ouray. It has loose skree (sharp angled rocks) for a long, steep climb and "the wall" obstacle 3/4 the way up. There are winch anchors posted at the top of the wall, but can become tippy when dry and darn near impassible when wet. Many rental heeps have not come out of Poughkeepsie gulch under their own power. It is a relatively short trail but can take some time with larger groups. It is not serviced by the San Juan County road crews and thus is usually one of the last trails to shed snow pack and open up.

Black Bear pass is a one way trail from the top of Red Mountain Pass (US Hwy 550) to Telluride and is famous for the pucker factor and amazing views as you descend into Telluride. It is much wider at "the crunch" than it used to be and most stock vehicles and operators with steady hands have no problem. A few spots where departure angles of the longer pigs may take careful navigation to avoid dragging.

Imogene pass connects Telluride and Ouray. It crests out over 13,000', passes through some of the richest mining history and offers spectacular views. Runnable wet or dry. Dense fog can make the trail confusing.

There are many trails and passes in this area. Both difficult and sedate. Too many to list and describe them all here. The three mentioned above can be considered the most challenging we will see this trip but all of these mountain passes are beautiful and worth running.

It is worth researching high country "Trail Etiquette" if you are not familiar. Passing on coming vehicles WILL BE THE MOST DANGEROUS part of any trail ride here. The shoulders are soft and loose with a large penalty for error. The vehicle TRAVELING UP HILL has the right of way. It is safer to back uphill than down. (While backing down hill, you have less brake and steering control) It is not unusual to see drivers forget/ignore this. Some trails have more pull outs for passing than others but all are tight in many places. Usually the most sketchy...

Thank you @B.C. Hoshall for sharing. I'm up for Black Bear and Imogene passes. I did Black Bear back in '95 in my Jeep Renegade. I'd love to do it again. This is shaping up to be an epic pig adventure.

 

[Gordobe]

Hank, have you booked a site?

 

[Hank Tank]

Hank, have you booked a site?

No Sir. Do you happen to have a link to the park service over there by chance?

 

[scrapdaddy]

It's in this thread...Pig Party - 2017?

 

[Hank Tank]

It's in this thread...Pig Party - 2017?

Found it! Danke. Just snagged Site 2, Loop A. Can't wait. Thanks again for the help guys. @B.C. Hoshall @scrapdaddy

 

[riderjgs]

Thank you @B.C. Hoshall for sharing. I'm up for Black Bear and Imogene passes. I did Black Bear back in '95 in my Jeep Renegade. I'd love to do it again. This is shaping up to be an epic pig adventure.

Black Bear descends down the back face of the box canyon in which Telluride is located. Part way down you'll pass the old power house at Bridal Veil Falls. Bravest man that ever walked the face of the earth shingled the backside of that building with his butt hanging out over the sheer drop down into town. Don't believe me? Wait til you see it.
Will get a campsite reserved this week. We'll be in Telluride the previous Thurs-Sun at the annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival. Not to be missed if you're into that sort of music. Google it if you're interested but might be sold out already.